Rotary embraces leadership in changing times
Thirteen 13 pupils and five educators from Port Shepstone High, Port Shepstone Secondary, Marburg Secondary and Creston College attended.
Usually at this time of the year, The Rotary Club of Port Shepstone hosts a five day leadership camp but due to Covid-19 protocols the club was forced to explore other options.
With online learning becoming something of a norm, Rotary decided to participate in the District 9370 Virtual Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) Leadership Summit by hosting a group of pupils from four schools.
Its first summit was held at the South Coast Hospice training centre in Port Shepstone on September 18.
The theme was ‘Embracing Leadership in Changing Times’ and the venue had internet access and a large projection screen.
Four local high schools participated in the summit designed for Grade 10 and 11 pupils.
Thirteen 13 pupils and five educators from Port Shepstone High, Port Shepstone Secondary, Marburg Secondary and Creston College attended.
“We arrived with nothing, didn’t have to pay anything but yet we are leaving rich and filled in body, spirit and mind….truly a stimulating day,” was the closing comment by one of the pupils.
The Rotary Club of Port Shepstone would like to thank the South Coast Hospice, the Hibiscus Coast Rotary Club, the Youth Committee members and Rotarians and Anns of the Club for their valuable contribution, attendance and participation.
Rotary were delighted to have partnered with Dr Ian Knott-Craig, the content-developer and facilitator for the event.
Ian is highly recommended.
He has recently retired as deputy head of Port Alfred High School to follow his dream of developing leadership skills in young people.
A panel of guest speakers addressed the youth on various topics relating to leadership.
Rowan D’Arcy, secretary of the club, said they understood that a ‘virtual summit’ cannot replace the ‘face-to-face’ camps which provided interpersonal and collaborative interactions, but he still strongly urged local schools to consider this alternative.
The day was ‘fully-loaded’ with healthy discussions around the following topics from the relevance of women in leadership to the challenges facing youth in leadership to virtual leadership and dealing with change.
The RYLA Leadership Summit encouraged participants to be aware of Rotary, realise that positive change begins with self, understand different leadership styles and the ethics involved, discover their own circle of influence, discuss issues facing teens today and offer possible solutions, see things from a different perspective and communicate in a non-violent or threatening manner.
“As Rotarians, we believe that it is our responsibility to give young individuals hope for the future, to provide leadership skills to equip them for change and to instil trust so that they can be the best version of themselves that they can be,” said D’Arcy.
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